Outreaching Approaches in Hong Kong

Outreaching Approaches in Hong Kong
Hong Kong Social Workers¡¦ General Union
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Outreaching social work teams use some form of integrated social work approach combining the following approaches:

1.        Surveying the community
The planing and implementation of outreaching social work service require the demarcation of working spots and allocation of manpower based on systematic observation such as community study and field observation, and on information collection from relevant sources such as mutual-aid committees, police. The objective is to obtain a general understanding of the area and the social and recreational characteristics of the youth population so as to pinpoint the targets. Natural grouping are identified in the process.

2.        Working with individuals
The social worker identifies his clients through one of the following methods: group activities, planned contact, casual contact, referral. Through contacts and home visits, the worker seek to understand the problems of the client and his family (which may including family disharmony, housing, employment, courtship, sexual relationships, etc.) and to help the client to come to terms with the problems he or she faces. Where necessary , other professional personnel such as clinical psychologists may be called for consultation of treatment, whilst referrals to and collaboration with other services may be made upon need.

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3.        Working with Group/Gangs
The small group approach is adopted to work with clients or potential clients through use of group work and gang work skills. These groups may either be natural groupings or be specially organized by the social worker as a means of providing assistance to clients to enable them to learn ways to cope with their own problems, improve their behaviour, change their attitudes and redirect their energies towards positive goals.

4.        Working with Community
In the course of helping their clients, the social worker liaisce with Government departments, District Boards, district organization, employers, religious bodies, schools and welfare agencies, with a view to enable the clients to make full use of available community resources in meeting their needs and problems. Efforts are also initiated by social workers to study community problem, arouse public concern and mobilize local support through involving volunteers and organizing community education program. ¡§If young people¡¦s problems are arisen out of a unresponsive social environment, social workers may adopt community work approach to arouse social concern and support to advocate for modification of the social environment to enable better development of the young people.¡¨ (Ng & Man, 1985: 222)

Stage of Work (Outreaching Social Work)
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